Machinery for automatically manufacturing screws, nuts, &amp;c., from rough metal.



No. 664,098. 4 I Patented Dec. l8, I900.

W. REH. v MACHINERY FOB AUTOMATICALLY MANUFACTURING SCREWS, NUTS, 81.0.,

FBUM ROUGH METAL.

(Application filed. July 29, 1899.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

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Patented'Dec; I8, I900.

, W. REI'I. MACHINERY FOR AUTOMATICALLY MANUFACTURING SCREWS, NUTS, 81.0.,

FROM ROUGH METAL.

I (Application filed July 29, 1899.)

2 Shanta-Shoat 2.

(No Model.)

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WILHELM REH, OF DBESDEN, GERMANY.

MACHINERY FOR AUTOMATICALLY MANUFACTURING SCREWS, NUTS, &c., FROM ROUGH METAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 664,098, dated December 18, 1900.

Application filed July 29,1899. Serial No. 725,549. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILHELM REE, a subject of the King of Saxony, residing at Dresden, in the Kingdom of Saxony, German Empire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machinery for Automatically Manufacturing Screws, Nuts, Studs, and such Like from Rough Metal, of which the following is a full and complete specification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The automatic machines at present in use for the manufactureof screws, 850., depend to a great extent upon the regular speed at which they are driven. Variations in the number of revolutions, and consequently in the speed of transmission,either cause threads of an unequal length to be cut or the breaking off of the stem. Further, it is not possible to cut the thread to the very end of the rod, as there always remains an extra piece as long as the head-stock, which has to be thrown away. The present machines have also a right-and-left motion or a fast-and-loosepulley arrangement for the working spindle or cutting-tool which necessitates the use of several belt-pulleys and belts or the displacing of belts. These disadvantages are not present in my new machine, which is so constructed that the material (in the rough state) revolves when being turned and out, while the cutting-tool remains stationary, whereas when the screw-thread is being cut the cutting die or tool revolves while the material remains stationary. Further, the working spindle, as well as the spindle of the cuttingdie, are set in operation by means of a single belt, which causes them always to revolve in the same direction Without moving to theothers removed in order to better show the construction.

On the side check a of the frame the shaft 6 is placed, which receives its rotatory motion from the variable-speed pulley 0. By means of the worm d and the worm-wheel e the motion is transmitted to the cross-shaft f and by means of the bevel-wheels g g to the longitudinal shaft h. On the cross-shaftfare fitted the face-cam t for forcing into working position the cutting-tool carrier and the face-cam l for forcing into working position the turning-tool carrier, and between these is mounted on the same shaft the face-cam k for forcing forward into working position the screwcutting spindle, which is for that purpose mounted in standards G of a head-stock or carriage K, sliding in suitable ways in the main frame of the machine, and is returned to the non-working position by a weight O, as shown in Fig. 7, the cam It acting upon a roller 1" to force it forward and the cams t and Z acting upon like rollers carried at the ends of reciprocating rods 9, in connection at the other ends with the turning and cutting tool carriages, which rods reciprocate in slipjournals 10, carried by the main frame, and such rods 9 are usually forced back toward the left by springs, as shown.

On the longitudinal shaft 71 is fitted the face-cam m for moving and setting the turning-tool carrier, arranged at right angles to the longitudinal shaft of the machine, according to the desired thickness of the screwblank. On the shaft 72 there are also two grooved cams n and 0, the cam 01 being for locking and freeing the chuck which holds the rod being operated upon, while the cam 0 is for throwing the driving-pulley it into and out of gear with the hollow spindle 3. On a second cross-shaft g, which is set in motion by means of the bevel-gearing p p, is a face-cam '1', which regulates the feed.

The turning head-stock carries in it the hollow spindle 3, running in the bearings t t, and which has loosely fitted on it the beltpulley a, into which a split ring R is screwed and fixed by tightening a screw. The pulley and its ring are so made that when the latter is inserted in place a V-shaped groove isformed, into which two correspondinglyshaped segments 1: (see Figs. 5 and 6) can be inserted. These segments have round pins 0, which can be introduced into holes in the casting v, keyed to the spindle s. The ends of the pins bear against projections to w of a clutch as, Fig. 5, which is capable of sliding upon the spindle and is provided with teeth or a friction-coupling arrangement, whereby it can be clutched to the box X. If the action of the cam 0 causes the clutch to to move toward the left hand, Fig. 2, then the tapered projections to to, acting upon the pins '0 of the segments 1;, force the latter outward, and thereby clutch the belt-pulley u frictionally to the hollow spindles. If, however, the cam 0 moves the clutch toward the right hand, Fig. 2, then the belt-pulley u is set free and the clutch is locked by means of its teeth to the correspondingly-formed clutch-box X, which latter is fixedly secured at the back of the bearing-bush of the headstock. At the left-hand end of the hollow spindle s is the clutch-head Y, by which the rod of stock G is clamped firmly, so as to be rotated by the rotation of the spindle s. This clutching device is of the well-known form of automatic clamping and releasing clutches, and its cheeks are forced in and out, so as to clamp the rod or release it, by the movement of the pivoted links 2, which are themselves moved by the sliding sleeve A, actuated by the lever T; but as the mechanism of this clutch is of a well-known form and many different forms may be substituted for the particular one I use I have not deemed it necessary to show in detail the mechanism thereof.

On the shaft B the feeding-carrier is slidably arranged. It can be moved outward by means of a cam 0', and it is provided with a tube E, which by means of the adjustingrings 1 and 2 is retained within the eye 3 of the carrier, within which it can, however, turn. The tube E projects into the hollow spindle s and has at its end a hollow friction grippiece or chuck passed through a pushedon binding'ring. This friction-chuck is always in contact with the metal rod and is so arranged that the friction between it and the rod is just sufficient to enable the rod to be fed forward by the working carrier. The grip-piece or chuck revolves along with the rod and the working spindle and remains stationary when the latter are stopped.

The movement of the feeder C is effected by means of the cam r in conjunction with the spring J, which forces the feeder forward. The amount of the feed is regulated by means of the adjustable screw H.

On the back bearing-bush of the head-stock or carriage K, or sometimes directly on the shaft or spindle M, is revolubly mounted a pulley L, which is provided on the outer face with engaging pins 5, and through the bush carrying such pulleyL passes the reciprocating and rotating screw-cutting spindle M, carrying at the end the screw-cutting die N. Mounted upon this shaft or spindle M, so as to rotate therewith, but reciprocate along the same through a short distance, is a driverhead 0, provided with adjustable stops s adapted to coact with the stops 3 to bring, about rotation of the spindle M, as hereinafter described, and surrounding the spindle M, between the driver 0 and the standard G of the head-stock or carriage K, is a spring P, which keeps the driverand spindle M pressed toward the rear, and carried by the same standard G is an adjustable stop Q, which by impact against the rear end of either of the pins 3 will stop the rotation of the spindle M.

Between the head-stocks the carrier R for the turning-tool and the carrier S for the cutting-tool are arranged on a common foundation. If so desired, they can be carried on separate foundations. These carriers, which carry the tool-holders, can be moved forward by means of the face-cams Z and i. The holder of the carrier R can also be moved laterally by means of the cam m. The shape of the article being turned is regulated by the shape of the cam m.

All the carriers are brought back to their original positions after performing their work by means of spiral springs or similarly-operating devices. When complicated shapes or patterns have to be automatically turned, the carrier of the cutting-tool can also be constructed as a complete cross-carrier, and in order to give the required lateral motion a second longitudinal shaft with cam is arranged upon the machine.

The machine operates in the following manner: First, for the manufacture of screws the rod G, which has to be operated upon, is'inserted in the hollow spindle s and centered through the friction-chuck F, the bindingring being so adjusted that the rod can he slid with a tight fit through the chuck. The machine is now set in operation. .As the cam 91 revolves it acts upon the roller of the lever T and causes the latter to push the sleeve A to the right band, Fig. 2. Asa result of this movement the linksz are caused to act upon the hollow spindle and compress the sides or checks of the chuck, so as to tightly grip the rod. TheleverU is now acted upon by the cam 0 in such manner as to cause the clutch-collar 00, which is connected with the spindles by a spline X, to act on the pins t and segments 1; and clutch the pulley u to the hollow spindle s, which latter, along with the rod, will as a consequence revolve with the pulley. The cam on acts upon the carrier of the turningtool and forces it forward the extent'necessary for the required thickness of blank. The cam l now forces the carrier along longitudi nall y the extent necessary to give the required length of blank. All the carriers and tools after their work is finished are automatically retracted by means of springs or the like. After the blank has been turned the action of the cam 0 causes the lever U to move back the clutch 0c, whereupon the segments 1; retract themselves under the action of their connecting-springs (see Fig. 6) and the pulley it runs free and the clutch w engages itself with the box X, which is rigidly secured to the back of the bearing-bush of the spindle-stock t, and holds the hollow spindle .9 fast. Thereupon the cam 10, acting on roller 1", actuates the screw-cutting head-stock K and moves it forward. So long as the cutter N does not touch the blank the pulley L runs free and the spindle M remains stationary; but immediately the cutter comes into contact with the rod-blank then as the headstock K advances the engaging pins of the pulley L will come into contact with the pins of the driver 0 and set the latter, as well as the spindle M, in rotation. As the spindle M is rotated and fed forward the cutter-die N cuts the screw-thread on the blank. When the cam it reaches its maximum throw, the screw-thread will be cut the proper length on the blank. Thereafter the head-stock automatically retracts itself under the action of a counterweight or spring, the engaging pins move out of engagement, and the shaft M ceases to revolve. The pins of the driver 0 finally come in contact with the stop-pin Q, which is adjustably secured in the front upright of the head-stock, and at that moment the cam 0 again acts on the lever U, so as to clutch the pulley to the spindle s and start it again into action, whereupon the screw ready cut is turned out of the cutter-die. At this moment the cam i acts upon the shaft to and forces its wedge behind the roller of the cutting-tool holder S, so as to press the cuttingtool against the rod and cut ofi the finished screw. Thereafter the cutting tool is retracted by means of a spring. (Not shown on the drawings.) The cam 11 now acts again on the lever T, so as to cause it to move the sleeve A and actuate the links 5, so as to disengage the friction-chuck F from the rod. In the meantime the feeder O has been pushed back by the action of the cam r on the shaft q and just reaches its full backward traverse at the moment the rod is disengaged. The spring J now comes again into action and feeds forward the rod to the extent permitted by the screw H, which latter is adjusted so as just to allow the proper feed for the desired length of screws being manufactured.- The cam n again acts on the lever T, the chuck again grasps the rod, and the work proceeds de novo. In the manufacture of nuts the same process is performed, but instead of using a cutter-die a tap is employed.

In the manufacture of special screws and the like the cams or tools are shaped so as to give the proper profile.

When manufacturing shoulder-screws and studs with stems of variable thickness, two or more turning-tools are fixed between the head-stocks and at proper distances from the center line of the machine.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,

I declare that what I consider novel and desire to claim is- 1. In a screw-cutting machine, the combination with a clutch-pulley u, of a hollow shaft upon which such pulley is mounted for carrying the stock, means for actuating the clutch so as to intermittently rotate the hollow shaft, means for automatically feeding the stock forward through the hollow shaft, means for clamping the same in the shaft, a screw-cutting die, means for bringing the die and stock into working contact in such manner that during one portion of the operation one will be in rotation and the other at rest and during the other portion this operation will be reversed, and means for automatically actuating the clamping and clutching mechanism, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a screw-cutting machine, the combination with a supporting-frame, of a crossshaft f, means for rotating the shaft f, a cutting-tool, a sliding carriage or support carrying the cutting-tool, a turning-tool, a sliding carriage or support carrying the turning-tool, a cam carried by the shaft f for actuating the cutting-tool, a cam also carried by such shaft ffor actuating the turning-tool, means for automatically retracting the cutting-tool when released from the pressure of the cam, a shaft 72. geared to the shaft f, a cam 'm for actuating the turning-tool in a direction at an angle to the movement caused by the cam on theshaftf, a screw-cutting die N, means for intermittently rotating the same, means for reciprocating such die N, a rod-carrying device having an automatic clutch, means for rotating the rod-carrying device at intervals, means for actuating the clutch, and means for feeding the rod of material, substantially as shown and described.

3. In a screw-cutting machine, the combination with a supporting-frame, of a crossshaft f, means for rotating the shaft f, a cutting-tool, a sliding carriage or support carrying the cutting-tool, a turning-tool, a sliding carriage or support carrying the tu rning-tool, a cam carried by the shaft f for actuating the cutting-tool, a cam also carried by such shaft 'ffor actuating the turning-tool, means for automatically retracting the cutting tool when released from the pressure of the cam, a shaft h geared to the shaft f, a cam 'm for actuating the turning-tool in a direction at an angle to the movement caused by the cam on the shaft f, a screw-cutting die N, means for intermittently rotating the same, means for reciprocating such die N, a rod-carrying device having an automatic clutch, means for rotating the rod-carrying device at intervals, means for actuating the clutch, means for feeding the rod of material, and means for automatically returning each reciprocating part to its non-workin g position when released from the pressure of the working portion of its particular cam, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a screw-cutting machine, the combination with an intermittently-rotating rodcarrying mechanism,of a screw-dieN mounted upon a shaft M revolubly and reciprocally mounted in suitable bearings, means for reciprocating the shaft M, a loose pulley L mounted upon the shaft M, a driver 0 secured to the shaft M so as to rotate therewith and also reciprocate thereon, coacting devices carried by the loose pulley L and driver 0 forming a clutch-coupling when the two are in contact, and means for limiting the forward reciprocating movement of the driver 0 withoutpreventing further movement of the shaft M, substantially as shown and described.

5. In a screw-cutting machine, the combination with an intermittently-rotating rodcarrying mechanism, of a screw-die N mounted upon a shaft M revolubly and reciprocally mounted in suitable bearings, means for reciprocating the shaft M, a loose pulley L mounted upon the shaft M, a driver 0 secured to the shaft M so as to rotate therewith and also reciprocate thereon, pins 3' carried by the pulley L, pins 8 carried by the driver 0, and a stop Q for limiting the forward re' ciprocating movement of the driver 0, substantially as shown and described.

6. In a screw-cutting machine, the combination with an intermittently-rotating rodcarrying mechanism, of a screw-dieN mounted upon a shaft M revolubly and reciprocally mounted in suitable bearings, means for reciprocating the shaft M, a loose pulley L mounted upon the shaft M, a driver 0 secured to the shaft M so as to rotate therewith and also reciprocate thereon, coacting devices carried by the loose pulley L and driver 0 forming a clutch-coupling when the two are in contact, and an adjustable stop for limiting the forward reciprocating movement of the driver 0 without preventing further movement of the shaft M, substantially as shown and described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

WILHELM REH.

Witnesses:

HERNANDO DE Sorro, PAUL ARRAS. 

